Rotary swivel



1949. G. R. TREMOLAVDA 7 ROTARY SWIVEL Filed March 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. GUGLIELMO R. TRE MOLADA BY Z 6) ATTORNEY Illllll Jan. 18, 1949.

Filed March 25, 1945 MN #0 Illlll G. R. TREMOLADA ROTARY SWIVEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y INVENTOR. GUGLIELMO R. TREMOL-ADA ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1949. l G. R. TREMOLADA ROTARY SWIVEL Filed March 23', 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GUGLIELMO H. TREMOLADA ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1949.

G. R. TREMOLADA ROTARY SWIVEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 25, 1945 INVENTOR. GUGLIELMO R. TREMOLADA ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 18, 1949 Si nor t r eener-De lfim u me tzDomr ny, Lo- AILKQIBS, C Qep ration-pLCali- Applioation -March 23, 1945; Serial No.":584;372

1 19 Claims. V 1

My invention relates to. rotary swivels tempioyed for the lsnspensionnofiidrillpiperdurin tthe drilling of Wells by the :rotarywmethom and :relates iin particularito improvements ginxmeans .for carrying the drilling, fluid-:ordinarily (referred to as rotary or drilling mud-efrom ithe'erotary hose, through the mucLpassag-es of the swivelito theiupper endgofythe. drillupipetstring.

In present practice :thezrotary mud isvconducted into the upper end loflthe swivel -byimeans ofna gooseneck whichceis; boltedationevend topthezitop of the swivel istructure. andwhasta; curved itubular portion which has somewhat the shape ofrwan inverted U ,wthe outer endtof this tubular: member being connected lto the rotaryrhosei so thatithe considerable Weight of the rotary hose-iapplies an yeac-entiic loading -to theioentral.superiomstnuccure; of lithe swivel ,toiwhichithe' end of: the gooseneck opposite the hose connect-ionliis seeuned.

It is an object. of the present-invention totavoid the 1. several :disadvantages i andardifficultiesepro duceelwby the. EtCCEDtlQdLDIflsCtiCE referredlto iinlthe foregoing.

ItuiS an object of the invention 1 toil-provident simple and effective t means whereby. the i loadyof the, rotaryuhose is removed; from .the goose-neck. An advantage of my :new arrangement :is :1 that breakinglof studibol-ts tori screws employed ainiattaehing the lgooseneckowingto the. overhanging load of the rotary hose is, avoided. eA'izfurther dis-advantage lover-come "by the "present invention is the ,dis ienment of ooneratineilparts ::.of the swivel fluid joint or connect-ion,;a:ipart;.of a liCl'l swivellfluicl connection isconneotedwtozthe bracket on the top of the swivel shellgtotwhich thehencl of the gooseneckl is-bolted,uwhich,-,disalignment results from ;c1istortion ofqthewbracket referred to in the :foregoinguasrthe .resultrof the applieation :th reto: of 1 the oYerhansine-rweiehttof the rotary hose.

Another object of theiinventiontisltoxprqvide a rotary swivelwhereinremoval ofhworntparts of the swivel fluid connectionlof the-rotaryswivel may be accomplished ithout thexnecessitymof disconnecting the rotaryohose: from the swivel. In accordance with old practice-the rswivelzfluid connection employs ainterfitting Qtubulaamparts with packing between these :parts foi azpreyenting leakage, one of the iinterfitting parts :being: connected to ,thenpper end ofithe rotatingzzbodv of V i Q e imthe ekes d s onne tediirom the.-t,o p.= .ofi-th t' sw-ivel, l ordemt ieain ac es to part of t swive flu enrr ection formurnes rliienlecementorrr pae a. 1,-

t is nmbie o he imzentionxto JD JQYMEQ-a int-arywswivelwh vi e aonvt-heesirle .it ishell a i id y-1se uredwinudrinl tw not, "this h mme inl t duct harvin uan. upper nen endtazdownwaridiy faced-o low -evenin no e :th ot -ry'rsho uup rmanentl nwnn te f11 8t iddleWWQH KQ strumire of this mud inlet duct transmittipggthe memoirth i ote f ahos rdir etlyenot e' si I -t shell of the rotary swivel, :th atthe ;1Qa, d-;Qf the o'ctaryvhose vis .notitransmitted Lto the r-s gnerstructure or bracket of the swivelewhic .vearries a part of theswivel:fluid connection.

7' A further object of the invention is "toiprovide a rotary wiv a .nex.a Pmud in et .;dr ct rigirily SC1llfid0 ill$w$h6l1 in;fla teral melat-ionrtheneto we ee e ar u n t mas a e Harem-he 50 oonneeting the ripperlend of the mugi inlet onct to the mindpassage which iies-pn l the axis, of rotatLQ!1 -;Ofi;thfi rota-ryswivel.

, Aifiurther ject of the invfintionsis tmprovide a: rQ ir l-s-w vel-lhavin a m-1d ginet iclu rrieiqy SQCHIQdrtO theeside wa l; chiral-shel u-zandia: emaile mmi-i nrer ne member; e a ea le whenritrhas be eme w rn, th s: m d convey n member; be n ada te e n-b ltin .to th tomof :the: rotary swivel so as to oonnect the uppereenclqof ;the

m en ew r il adi sodi t :1T o,- 1 fmtm i n e t-re h qtfl Ifluid wire :wn eq i n-eoivthe device.

,;It:;isre; (further JObjBCtyQf' thE';inMenl5i@XITd7Q:-P1T0- vide 5.3.!L10K3fl1i3l5 swivel having :=the characteristics exam-advantages ref erred torin :the' fonegoingy'this rotarygswi-vel;haying -a removablelmud s: conveying member:v at- 'bhfilttoplrthfil'ebf, which; mambeildisconnected without a-the--inecessityrofzadisconnecting the rotary hose, and a simple wash pipe or swivel fluid connection so related to the cooperating structure that it may be readily replaced and/or repacked when the mud conveying member is removed in the manner explained in the foreing.

A further object of the invention is to provide in this swivel fluid connection an improved wash pipe having a rubber mounting element thereon which yields'sufficiently to compensate for small disalignment in the cooperating relatively rotatable parts of the swivel fluid connection and thereby relieves strain on the packing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swivel fluid connection for use in a rotaryswivel, this swivel fluid connection having an on a work bench and which does not require adjustment when it is placed on the rotary swivel for the reason that it has a stop which determines its position and has predetermined internal parts associated with the packing material or rings thereof for applying a predetermined pressure to such packing material or rings. A feature of my present invention resides in the provision of the swivel fluid connection as a unit or cartridge, including the. wash pipe and the packing means, which unit may be easily placed in operative position in the rotary swivel.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a partly sectioned side view of a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary schematic view showing Fig. 6 is a cross section taken as indicated bythe line 5-6 of Fig. 4.

' Fig; 7 is a partly sectioned view showing another form of my invention.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l the rotary swivel includes a shell l6 which is hung in a derrick by means of a bail H, and a rotatable body l2 which extends vertically through the shell and has therein an axial mud passage l3 for conveying drilling mud into the upper end of a string of drill pipe M which is connected to the lower end of the rotatable body l2. The cover portion I of the shell ID has a laterally" projecting wall I6 which supports at a side of the upper portion of the shell a mud inlet duct member ll, the lower end of which is internally threaded to receive the hose connection I8 by which a rotary hose i9 is connected to the mud inlet duct 20 of the member H.

The laterally extending wall [6 and the mud inlet duct member I! form a rigid connection with the cover portion l5 of the shell l0, and in the preferred practice of the invention, the parts l5, l6, and I! are cast from steel in a single casting operation. The weight of the rotary hose I9 is transmitted from the mud inlet duct member I! through the lateral Wall [6 directly to the shell.

The cover portion of the shell [0 includes an upwardly extending wall 2| which is curved 4 around the vertical axis of the rotary swivel through an angle or are of nearly 180. At the upper end of this wall 2i there is a support 22 which takes the form of a horizontal plate or flange which extends laterally in rightward direction, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to engage the upper end of the tubular mud inlet duct member l1. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the cover IS, the laterally projecting wall IS, the member [1, the wall 2| and the horizontal supporting wall 22 are cast integral, the upper end of the mud inlet passage opening at its upper end through the rightward portion of the wall 22.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the support 22 has a counterbored opening 23 concentric with the axis of rotation of the body 12 to receive the upper portion of a packing element 24, which forms part a of a fluid swivel assembly or unit 25 which has the function of conveying the rotary mud from conveying member 26, which may be referred to as a gooseneck, has therein a passage 21 curved to inverted U shape and connecting the upper end of the mud inlet duct 20 with the upper end of the swivel fluid connection 25, the passage 21 being gradually tapered or reduced diametrally and having its smallest portion defined by a replaceable insert 28.

In addition to the packing element 24, the fluid swivel fluid connection 25 includes a wash pipe 29 which is secured on the upper end of the rotatable body |2 so that the flared passage 30 of the wash pipe 29 will communicate with the upper end of the mud passage [3 of the body [2. The packing element 24 includes a shell 3| having an annular space to receive packing means 32 which includes a plurality of chevron packing rings 33, a grease lantern 34, and a packing compressing ring 35 disposed so that it will be engaged and forced downward by the lower wall 36 of the mud conveying member 26 when this member 26 is installed in operative position as shown.

The wash pipe 29 has on the upper external portion .thereof a layer of hard wear resisting material 31, such as glass, for engagement with the packing rings 33. This feature of the invention contributes to long wearing life of the wash pipe 29. In order to minimize wear on the packing rings 33, the invention embraces a yieldable supporting ring 38 which surrounds the lower portion of the Wash pipe 29, to'permit the wash pipe 29 to have a small lateral movement or small lateral yieldability to compensate for small disalignment which may exist in the means for supporting the wash pipe 29 and the packing element 24, thereby reducing the pounding action between the rotating wash pipe and the stationary assembly of packing rings 33 which generally results from disalignment of the rotating and non-rotating parts. The ring 38 is formed from rubber and is bonded onto the lower external surface of the wash pipe 29. The rubber element 38 has an upwardly faced shoulder 39 which is engaged by a slip ring 40 adapted to be engaged by a clamping ring 4| which threads onto the upper threaded portion 42 of the body l2. In the upper faceof the body l2 there is a shallow recess 43 of slightly larger diameter than the lower end of the wash pipe 29, to provide a clearance between the wash pipe and the body [2 and permit movein position by the rubber ring 38 which is clamped agzreega'm Wrist 'thepupper: face ofv the'tlbod ""2121 byrithe clamping arranwmentrconsisting offthe clamping ring 4! and the slip'iringclflc a An important advantageof theinvention relates :to the; ease of removingwthe: swivel-assembly.25::forzreplacement"or repair. -As shown in Big. 3,1"thenmud conveying-members may be removedffromlthe supports-22 and t then after.- unscrewing the-clamping rings, the .-entiresassembly 25 may abeiliftedithrou'ghtthe opening 23, taken: .to 1 a .bench for :inspection =orr1forrep1acemerit of the packing element 24, which .GXiStSzflS.

a :tcartridge or completeci assembly ready to "be placed or upon the .upper. exterior portion v of: the wash .zpipe 29. Alsop ithiS tipacking. assembly -24 may be replaced without unscrewing the clamping ring 4| by merely removing the worn :packing assembly 24 upwardly throughithe opening 23 .after. removal of the amud conveying .member 26, withoutdisconnecting the rotary hose l9 from the swivel.

The wall I 6 by which the mud inletductmemher! 1 is uconnected to. .the .:shell I of the swivel is t hiollowvandzdefines a :chamber. 44.1whichrc'ommunicates withzthe'interior oftheshell ll Olthrough antmpeningmli. Thisichamber 44 comprisesxan 0111i expansion; reservoir. in rcommunicationlllwith thetinterior ofitthe :shell: hand "has an aopening 46min its: upper part nlosed 1 byxa breather? plug 411' equippedlrwith a breatherzzpassage 48 =f0r escape ota-gases :or. :fumestfrom :the :interior cf the shellland t equalization 50f interiors-exterior pressures. Onexwalh 4910f thetchamber fl is formed byte; portion a of a the mud linlet duct 1' member H whichzisint contact with :the :relativelymold: entering mud. Thereforethis wall 49nserves .as ea m-eansizior cooling the :fluids.iinrzthez-chamberfl44. Ihe :chamber 44 :is so positioned xr'with relation to the oil filling plug P l of the [shell that dnit; an oil level such as 'indicated'atwivfl, vmay "be :maintained, above the level i .of the .1 uppermostibearing within the [shell gl 0,;thereby assuring ample lubrication ot all of 1 bhQwSWiVf-ll bearings rat 7. all times. i

. t'llheaswivell fluid connection. 25 has been :shown s in Rig. lzwvithlitst wash pipeconnected to the body tl-i-sol as lto rotate. It will be understood that this swivel t-fiuid connection may be inverted :so thatt-the-wash pipe willt be -stationary and the packingl-elemente2 4, upper endtofnthe rotatabler-body 12, will rotate withisuch body externallyrof the :staticnaryvwash pipe. tIni Figs .4 I have: shown this \fOIm of the invention, and have also shown how the swivel fluidlconnection may be.arranged so as to be removed ilatera'lly from its operative position instead of upwardly. With referenceto Fig. 4, ltrwill be noted that a swivelfluidconnection' 25 istprovided having a packing element shell 3 l which is internally threaded instead of being flanged so that this shell 3|C-may be screwed onto the threaded portion 42ratthe upperwendt'of therotatablebody l2. In this practice of the inventionlarflanged adaptor 52 is inserted in the opening floftthe support "and is heldinplace by afiuiclzconveying member-2B which omits the nozzlet28 showntinFigvz. l fIThis adaptorr52=liasa downwardly projecting externally threadedportionl53 which the clamping ring-4| mayv-be screwedfortthe purpose of holding the wash pipe 29in! depending position with the now lower end thereof projecting into. the .packing element 24' to engage the packingrings- 33 therein. -When itl-isdesiredto .remove the swivel fluid connection as assembly for the-tpurpose of :replacement t-thenvbeing connectedtto the 5' orxrepairmthe shell silumaytbelscrewed upwardly outl:bfhengagementrwitli the:;threaded portiomfl ofrthe body ;t2;: andlthe clamping ring 4 l-may zbe screwedidownwardlw out; ofiiengagement *withahe thneadeditlportiona 53 :of I :thes; adaptor :52, whereupon t the easseni'blyrQS'wmaywbe rmoved laterally from "LltSL-DOS iUiOH between athe partsn [21 ands-52.

l Thetinvention relieves from the workman'l-who replacesrltheapacking' element: :24 the responsibility for adjusting the pressure on ,lthes-packing material'consistingvof the chevron ringsq33. :The shell :3 I -.-.or 31 :xOf Tithe packing element 24.: is adapted ato :lassume w a; predetermined V -position whemitris inuplace-in the rotary swivel and .thereforenitt is expressly uprevented from; movement except for purpose of adjustment. -.As2shown\in I 4; the rshellz3i ;is.screwed'down against the stoplconsistingtofia gasket ;551carried by thesbody .i 2. 'Ehe'a packing compressing: ring 35, wwhich forms ,a part of ther'packingelement, is made .of yieldable material rand .of ssuch characteristic form -that whentiteis compressed as the resultl'of the screwing; ofsthe shell 3| down into itsroperatiivepposition, :it will apply a predetermined propempressure to the :packingrmeans: consisting of theerings: .33. As shown in Fig. 5, ,the firing comprises a cylindric wall portion -:58-,ha-ving' at the lower end thereof ansinwardlytfaced lip59 for engagement with the upper end face of the body l2. On the upper end of the wall portion 58 theresis a rounded prominence or bead :68 shaped so .that it will fit into the lowermost channel 20f theassembly of packing rings 33. The packing compressing ring 35 is of such vertical dimension when'it is relaxed, as shown in'Fig. 5; that when the shell 3l" is screwed down into-its operative position, thexupper end of the body 12 will compress the ring 35 to such extentthat the proper pressure for holding the sealing rings 33- will be exerted upwardly-againstathe assembly oi sealing ringsu33. The @cylindric wall portion. 58 of the ring--35'is:of such diameter that it will lie against a portion ofttheinner face ofxthe shell 3|; :and around the upper portion-o1 the ring 35 there is an inwardlytprojecting lip forced upwardly by :fiuid pressure exerted in the space ;62 y when mudis "being pumped through the mud passages of thecswivel, thereby sealing the upper edgelrofathe ring f35 while at the-same time thexglipri59t'will:maintain a:tishtsealingengagement with thempperend face ofithebody l 2. In Fig.1 7 thoseapartsr which: have. been previously described are identified by the numerals i adopted in rthe. original a description; thereof. :Herein 1 I have-rslrowm thelimprovements consisting 0f the rigidly-mounted :m-ud :inletduct: member and the separately removablezgggoosenecklor mudl cenveyingr-t member in asswivel arrangement wherein a wash zpipei 6520fnsimplejitubular :formds rigidly mountedsot :that tits rear end twilllproiectr downwardly r into '1: a packing zaelement I24, uwhich is SGTGWEduOl-ltdlthfi :upperw end'lOf :the ;rotata;ble body [2- of the swivel.

nT-he supporting-wallfltof Fig: 7 has an opening 23 calignod l-withzithetiaxis of :notation of the body 42,? rthere :being :a :countersink: 66 at the :upper end sofzthezopening-i23 toureceive a tapered porticnsofta narrowlflange'sfi 1 which is formed onthe uppemend offrthe rwashwpipe fii "When it isfdesired :toiirenondition:thes swivel fluid connection formed byztheiwash pipet65 and the packing element 24,1athe'1ifli1id. conveying -member"-2 6 maybe' removedrfromstthez tsupportJ22 without necessity fomremoving the :rotaryihose fromattachment to the swiueluziandu'tthei wash pipe may: be lifted from the position in which it is shown. The packing element 24 may be then unscrewed from the body l2 and removed entirely from the swivel assembly, thereby making it possible for the workman to replace the packing therein with marked ease and facility as compared to the work involved in replacing packing in situ in the rotary swivel assembly. When the wash pipe 65 becomes worn, it may be conveniently replaced by a new duplicate part.

The wall 2| is disposed between the mud inlet duct member I! and the fluid swivel connection 25, and as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6, extends only partway around the swivel fluid connection so-as to leave a large opening 2| for access to the swivel fluid connection.

A feature of this part of the invention is that by the arrangement of walls shown, the opening 2-! through which access to the swivel fluid connection is gained, extends through an angle of about 180, or slightly greater, thereby providing a continuous space from one side to the other of the swivel connection 25 in which tools may be operated with much greater facility than is possible in rotary swivels employing the old diametrally opposed webs for supporting the common gooseneck.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a

shell and a rotatable body, said shell having a laterally projecting hollow wall, the interior of which communicates with the interior of said shell so as to form an oil chamber, and a mud inlet duct supported by said hollow wall at one side of said shell and having the outer end thereof prepared for connection to a rotary hose, whereby the weight of said rotary hose will be transmitted directly to the side of said shell, and said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said passage; and a detachable mud conveying member removably secured on the top portion of said shell for conveying mud from said mud inlet duct member to said swivel fluid connection said mud conveying member being removable from its operative position without disconnection of said inlet duct member from said shell.

2. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said shell having supportedon one side of its vertical axis a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, a supporting member connected to said shell in a position spaced from the upper end of said body and having an opening substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of said body, and said body having a mud passage extending 'vertically therethrough and adapted to be connected to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection insertable through said opening so as to be -connected to the upper end of said body, said connection comprising a wash pipe part and a packing part, one of said parts being adapted to be connected to said body and the other of said parts being adapted to be connected to said supporting member, and the upper of said parts being secured in said opening when said swivel connection is in its operative position; and a removable mud conducting member conveying to said supporting member and to the upper part of said mud inlet duct-member for conveying mud from said duct member to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying member, when removed from said supporting member, ex-

posing said opening so that said upper of said parts of said swivel connection may be raised with relation to said opening.

3. In a swivel fluid connection unit for a rotary swivel, the combination of a cylindric wash pipe having a ring of rubbery material on one end thereof, said ring providing a forwardly faced shoulder, said wash pipe having a cylindric layer of hard material on its other end; a clamping ringto engage said shoulder; and a packing element surrounding said layer of hard material on said wash pipe, said packing element comprising a, shell forming a packing space, a packing means in said space and a compressing ring of rubbery material in the outer end of said space, said compressing ring having a cylindric wall to engage the wall of said shell, an inwardly directed sealing lip at the outer end of said compressing ring and an inwardly directed sealing lip at the inner end of said compressing ring, there being a bead on the inner end of said compressing ring to engage said packing means.

'4. In a swivel fluid connection unit for a rotary swivel, the combination of: a cylindric wash pipe having a ring of rubbery material on one end thereof, said ring providing a forwardly faced shoulder, said wash pipe having a cylindric layer of vitreous material on its other end; a clamping ring to engage said shoulder; and a packing element surrounding said layer of vitreous material on said wash pipe, said packing element comprising a shell forming a packing space, a packing means in said space and a compressing ring of rubbery material in the outer end of said space, said compressing ring having a cylindric wall to engage the wall of said shell, an inwardly directed sealing lip at the outer end of said compressing ring and an inwardly directed sealing lip at the inner end of said compressing ring, there being a bead on the inner end of said compressing ring to engage said packing means.

5. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a body and a shell in rotatable relation, said shell having supported on one side thereof a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connectionto an end of a rotary hose, and said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a supporting member extending in spaced relation to the top of said shell and to the upper end of said body, said supporting memberbeing connected to the upper end of said mud inlet duct member; a swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said passage, having the lower portion thereof connected to the upper end of said body and having the upper portion thereof supported by said supporting member; a wall disposed between said mud inlet member and said swivel fluid connection and connecting the top of said shell to said supporting member; and a mud conveying member carried by said supporting member for conveying mud from said mud inlet duct member to said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying member being removable from said supporting member independently of said mud inlet member.

6. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a body and a shell in rotatable relation, said shell having supported on one side thereof a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, and said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a supporting member extending in spaced relation to the top of said shell and to the upper end of said body, said supporting member being connected to the upper i drill P e;

madam aid mud i let duct m mbe a s iv fluid connectioncatthe upper end of said pas- ISBQQohflJ/iHE the lower portion thereof connected to the upper end of sa d: ody and ha t upper portion thereof supported by said supportins member; a wall disposed between, said mud inletmemberand said swivel fluid connection andxconnecting theitopiof said shellto saidsupandwalls forming anextension of the passageof saidmudinlet duct member for conveying mud fromsaid inlet duct member to said swivel fluid t connection.

17. Ina rotary swivel, the combination of: a body anda shell inrotatable relation, said shell having supported on one side thereof a mud inletduct member with anhopening for connection teen end of a rotary hose, and said body havinga mud passagetherein for connection to the upper end of astring of drill pipe; a supporting membersecured to said shell in spaced relation to theupper end of said body, said supporting member having an opening spacedifrom the upper end of said body, and being also connected to the upper portion of said mud inlet? duct member; a swivel fluidconnection movable laterally intoiand OHtnQf the space between the upper end of said bodyand saidsupporting member, said swivel fluid connectionhaving the lower portion thereof connectedtozthe upper, end, of said :body

and having the; upper portion thereof supported by said supporting member; and a mud convey- ,ing member carried by said supporting: member for conveying mud from Said mud inlet duct imember tosaid swivel fluid connection, said mud iconveyingmemberbeingremovable, from said supporting member independently of said mud inlet member.

8.111s, rotary swivel, the combination of: a body and a shell in rotatable :relation, said shell having supportedonone side thereof a mud inlet ductmember with anopening for connection to 9 an end of arotaryhose, and said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end ofa string of drilltpipe; a supporting member securedztosaid shellin spaced relation to the upper end of said bodynsaidsupporting member having an opening defined by a downwardly projectingannular wallspaced from the upper end of said-body, andbeingalso connected to the upper portion of said mudinlet duct member; a

swivel fluid connection movable laterally into and out of the space-between theupper end of said bod n sa d s pportin member, s d swivel fluidoonnectionihaving meansior connecting the lower portion thereof to the upper end of said body andhavingmeans for connecting the upper portion thereof to said annular wall which projects downwardly from, said supporting member; and a mud conveying member carried by said supporting member for conveying mud from saidainudinlet duct member to said swivel fluid connection.

9. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and: arotatable body, said shell having supported on one side i of its vertical axis a ,mudinlet ductmember with an opening for connection to an end of a rctary hoseywhereby the weight of said rotary hose istransmitteddirectly to, said she andsaid body havi a ud p ss ther n tor conn tion to the upper o a strin o a swiveltfluid connection at the-upper ,end of. said passage; and a mud conveying memberon the top of said shell having an inverted U-shaped passage for. carrying mud from said mud inlet ductmember to said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying member being detachable from its, operative, position without disconnection of said inlet ductmember from said shell. I l

10. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body,,said shell having supported on one side of its, vertical axis a mud inlet ,duct member with an opening for connection to antend, ofa rotary hose, whereby the weight of said rotary hoseis transmitted directly to said shell, andsaidbody having. a mud passage therein. for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said mud passage; and a detachable mud conveying member removably secured onthe top portioniof. said shell for conveying mud from saidmud inlet duct member to said swivel f uid. c nnec on, said mud convey me b r being; detachable from its operative position withoutdisoonnection of said inlet/duct member ifrom said shell.

11. In a;rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said shellhaving supportedyon one side ofits vertical axis av mud inlet duct member with aniopening for connection to an end of a. rotary hose, and. said body having a mudpassage thereinfor connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a supporting mem-,- ber securedto said shellin vertically spaced relation to the upper end of said body, said supportingmember being also secured to the upper portion of said mud inlet duct member; a swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said passage, having the lower portion thereof connected to the upper end of, said body and having the upperportion thereof ,supportedby said supportingmember; and amud conveying member carried by said supporting member for conveying mud from said mud inlet duct member to said swivel fluidconnection, at least a portion of saidmud conveying member being detachably connectedsoas to expose the upper part of said swivel connection while the weight of the rotary hose is carried by the shell.

12. In a rotary swivel, the combination of) a shell and a rotatable body; said shell'having supported on one side of its vertical axis a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, and said body having a mud passage therein'for connection tothe upper end of astring of drill. pipe; a supporting member'secured to said shell in vertically spaced rela tionto theupper end of said body, said supportingmember being also secured to the upper portion of said mud inlet duet member, said supporting member having an opening therein aligned with said; passage of said body; a swivel fluid connection'at the upper end of said passage, having the lower portion thereof connected to the upper-:endof said body and having the upper portion thereof supported by said supporting membensaidswivel fluid connection being of such size that an operative part of itmay be removed as a unit upwardly throughsaid opening in said supporting member; and a mud conveying member carried by said supporting memberfor con- ,veyingvmud'from, said mudinlet duct member to said swivel-fluid connection, atleast a portion of 'sai mu c n e inememb rbe e de chab e so as t eimosesa d peein to nermi r mo 0f .xdfiit par sa d swivelcon le z 13. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a

shell and a rotatable body, said shell having supaxis of rotation of said body, and said body hav ing a mud passage extending vertically therethrough and adapted to be connected to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection adapted to be connected to the upper end of said body, said connection comprising a wash pipe part and a packing part, one of said parts being adapted to be connected to said body and the other of said parts being adapted to be connected to said supporting member, and at least the upper of said parts being insertable into operative position through said opening in said supporting member; and a removable mud conveying member connected to said supporting member and to the upper part of said mud inlet duct member for conveying mud from said duct member to the upper end of said swivel fluid con nection, said mud conveying member holding said upper of said parts in its operative position when said mud conveying member is connected to the upper part of said mud inlet member.

14. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said shell having supported on one side of its vertical axis a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, a supporting member connected to said shell in a position spaced from the upperend of said body and having an opening substantially aligned withthe axis of rotation of said body, and said body having a mud passage extending vertically therethrough and adapted to beconnected to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection having a wash pipe insertable downwardly through said opening of said supporting member; and a mud conveying member connected to said supporting member and to the upper part of said mud inlet duct member for conveying mud from said duct member to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying member being movable independently of said mud inlet duct member so as to disclose said opening and permit upward movement of said wash pipe with relation to said opening.

15. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said shell having supported on one side thereof a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, a supporting member connected to said shell in a position spaced from the upper end of said body and having an opening substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of said body, and said body having a mud passage extending vertically therethrough and adapted to be connected to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection having a wash pipe and having a securing ring for the upper end of the wash pipe disposed in said opening of said supporting member and packing means connected to the upper end of said body; and a mud conveying-member connected to said supporting member and to the upper part of J said mud inlet duct member for conveying .mud from said duct member to the upper end ofsaid swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying me her being movable independently of said mud 12 inlet duct member so as to permit movement of said securing ring in said opening.

16. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said shell having supported on one side thereof a mud inlet duct member with an opening for connection to an end of a rotary hose, a supporting member connected to said shell in a position spaced from the upper end of said body and having an opening substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of said body, and said body having a mud passage extending vertically therethrough and adapted to be connected to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection, comprising a wash pipe, a packing shell, and packing means in said packing shell, the upper of said parts extending downwardly from said opening of said supporting member; and a mud conveying member attached to said supporting member and connecting the upper part of said mud inlet duct member to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection for conveying mud from said duct member to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying member being movable independently of said inlet duct member so as to permit upward movement of the upper of said parts of said swivel connection relatively to said opening.

17. In a rotary swivel, the combination of z a shell and a rotatable body, said shell having a. laterally projecting hollow wall projecting above the level of the uppermost bearing means in said shell, the interior of which communicates with the interior of said shell so as to form an oil cham' her, and a mud inlet duct supported by said hol-- low wall at one side of the vertical axis of said shell and having the outer end thereof prepared for connection to a rotary hose, and said body having a mud passage therein 'for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said passage; and a mud conveying member removably connected to the upper end of said mud inlet duct and to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection for conveying mud from said mud inlet duct member to said swivel fluid connection.

18. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a removable swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said mud passage; and mud conveying means for conducting mud from a rotary hose to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying means having an inlet wall portion connected to said shell whereby the weight of the rotary hose is transmitted directly to said shell, and said mud conveying means defining an inlet offset to aside of the vertical axis of said swivel fluid connection for connection to the rotary hose, and a wall portion defining an outlet from said mud conveying means to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying means having a detachable wall portion movable to uncover the upper end of said swivel fluid connection without disconnection of said inlet wall portion of said mud conveying means from said shell.

19. In a rotary swivel, the combination of: a shell and a rotatable body, said body having a mud passage therein for connection to the upper end of a string of drill pipe; a removable swivel fluid connection at the upper end of said mud passage; and mud conveying means for conducting mud from a, rotary hose to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection, said mud conveying means having an inlet wall portion connected to said shell whereby the weight of the rotary hose is transmitted directly to said shell, and said mud conveying means defining an inlet offset to a side of the vertical axis of said swivel fluid con nection for connection to the rotary hose, and an outlet wall portion defining an outlet for flow of mud from said mud conveying means to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection and having a downwardly faced opening through which at least a portion of said swivel fluid connection may be vertically moved, said mud conveying means having a detachable wall portion movable to uncover said opening to enable access to the upper end of said swivel fluid connection without disconnection of said inlet wall portion of said mud conveying means from said shell.

GUGLIELMO R. TREMOLADA.

14 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS liunt-bei' Name Date 1,783,410 Cowell Dec, 2, 1930 1,830,440 Morgan Nov. 2, 1931 1,860,711 Guedry May 31, 1932 2,098,518 Pivoto Nov. 9, 1937 2,150,529 Tremolada Mar. 14, 1939 2,176,323 Bowen et a1 Oct. 17, 1939 2,195,501 Smith Apr. 2, 1940 2,237,715 Shaw et a1. Apr. 8, 1941 2,346,380 King Apr. 11, 1944 2,394,800 Murphy Feb. 12, 1946 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,459,472. JanuaryIS, 1 -949. GUGLIELMO R. TREMOLADA It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: i

Column 5, line 69, after the numeral 53 and before the word which, insert on; column 7, line 70, claim 2, for conducting member conveying read conveying member connected; column 14, line 7, list of references cited, for Nov. 2, 1931 read Nov. 8, 1931 and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of June, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant G'ommissioner of Patents. 

